811 Day (August 11, 2016) Activities

Posted on 8/3/16

Did you know, nationally every six minutes, an underground utility line is damaged because someone decided not to contact 811 before digging? Striking a single underground utility line can cause injury, repair costs, fines, and inconvenient outages. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants contacting 811. According to a March 2016 NYS Office of the State Comptroller audit, as of 2014, New York had 91,181 miles of natural gas pipelines and 1,153 miles of hazardous materials pipelines. Between 1995 and 2014, New York had 194 pipeline incidents with 23 fatalities, 123 injuries, and $77 million in property damage.

With August 11, 2016, just a week away, Dig Safely New York and its Damage Prevention Councils (DPCs) around the state, hope that this date on the calendar will serve as a natural reminder for New York State residents to always 811 before any digging project, to have underground utility lines marked.

Check out what’s going on around the state to celebrate and to bring awareness to 811 day.

Capital Region: In partnership with National Grid, Dig Safely New York will be at the Saratoga Raceway with its interactive mobile exhibit. Dig Safely New York will be handing out promotional items and information while commercials, public announcements and advertisements in the day’s program will be promoting 811.

Central New York Region: Dig Safely New York has partnered with Pole Position Raceway to race to safety. Discounted races will be offered on August 11, 2016 in celebration of 811 day. Races will be offered at $18 at the Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo locations. A Dig Safely New York representative will be at the Syracuse Destiny Mall location from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. to hand out information and promotional items. The track will be open from 12 p.m. (noon) to 10 p.m. For more information on Pole Position Raceway, visit https://www.polepositionraceway.com/.

Genesee Valley Region (UCC): Dig Safely New York has partnered with Pole Position Raceway to race to safety. Discounted races will be offered on August 11, 2016 in celebration of 811 day. Races will be offered at $18 at the Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo locations. A Dig Safely New York representative will be at Rochester’s Marketplace Mall location from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. to hand out information and promotional items. The track will be open from 12 p.m. (noon) to 10 p.m. For more information on Pole Position Raceway, visit https://www.polepositionraceway.com/.

Dig Safely New York will also be at the Empire Farm Days from August 9 through August 11, at the Rodman Lott and Son Farms, 2973 State Route 414, Seneca Falls, NY. The Empire Farm Days is the largest outdoor agricultural trade show in the Northeastern United States. Stop by to see Dig Safely New York at the North West Main Tent area 5, other exhibits, experience live demonstrations, seminars, and activities featuring the latest innovations, newest technologies, and cutting-edge techniques in the agricultural industry.

Hudson Valley Region: Dig Safely New York will have a large presence at the Rockland Boulders Baseball game on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the game are being sold to the first 811 people for $8.11 each. The 811 message will also before on the stadiums jumbotron, and in public announcements before the game. Finally, 150 t-shirts will be thrown out the spectators courtesy of Dig Safely New York.

Mohawk Valley Region: 811 Day “No Call Protest”

Representatives of Dig Safely New York will be in Utica at 207 Genesee Street from the hours of 8:11a.m. to 10 a.m., on Thursday, August 11, 2016 for the 811 No Call Protest. Protesters will be marching to remind everyone to contact 811 prior to excavation.

Northeast Region: The KeyBank branch at 41 Main Street in Massena, NY will have all their tellers wearing 811 shirts on Thursday, August 11, 2016, to bring awareness to 811 Day. Counter mats will also be in place at teller station and informational brochures will be distributed.

Southern Tier Region: 811 Day “No Call Protests”

Representatives of Dig Safely New York will be in Johnson City in front of the Oakdale Mall located at 601-635 Harry L. Drive from the hours of 11a.m. to 1 p.m., on Thursday, August 11, 2016 for the 811 No Call Protest. Protesters will be marching to remind everyone to contact 811 prior to excavation.

Representatives will also be in Horseheads at the Southern Tier Crossing Shopping Plaza located at the intersection of County Rd 64 & Commerce Center Road, just off of exit 52A on the Southern Tier Expy(I-86) from the hours of 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Protesters will be marching to remind everyone to contact 811 prior to excavation.

Western New York Region: Dig Safely New York has partnered with Pole Position Raceway to race to safety. Discounted races will be offered on August 11, 2016 in celebration of 811 day. Races will be offered at $18 at the Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo locations. A Dig Safely New York representative will be at Buffalo’s Walden Galleria location from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. to hand out information and promotional items. The track will be open from 12 p.m. (noon) to 10 p.m. For more information on Pole Position Raceway, visit https://www.polepositionraceway.com/.

Western New York and Genesee Valley (UCC) regions have also teamed up to paint the Dig Safely New York logo in the concourse of the Dwyer Stadium for the Batavia Muckdogs. This 16’x24’ logo will be seen at the Muckdogs’ August 8 game. Dig Safely New York will also be represented at the game.